Movies for the Day, Monday, October 5, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthday of Richard E. Byrd, Monty Python, and the birthday of Kate Winslet.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









With Byrd at the South Pole (1930)
is a documentary about Admiral Richard
E. Byrd's expedition to the South Pole.
Byrd was born October 5, 1888.  This film
won an Oscar for Cinematography.




With Byrd at the South Pole













Monty Python Live at the Hollywood
Bowl (1982) is madcap sketch comedy
by the famous troupe which premiered
October 5, 1969.








Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl










The Reader (2008) is set in post-World War
II Germany and concerns romance and a war
crimes trial.  This movie won an Oscar for
Best Actress, to Kate Winslet, born October
5, 1975.





The Reader

Movies for the Day, Sunday, October 4, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Micky Ward, Edward Stratemeyer, and Damon Runyon.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Fighter (2010) is a biography
of a boxer, Micky Ward, born October 4,
1965.  It won Oscars for Best Actor, Supporting
Role, to Christian Bale (born January 30, 1974),
and Best Actress, Supporting Role, to Melissa
Leo (born September 14, 1960).  Mark Wahlberg
(born June 5, 1971) played Ward.



The Fighter











Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939)
is an entry in the teenage sleuth series.  This
is a murder mystery.  See also Nancy Drew,
Detective (1938).  The writer of the Nancy
Drew books was Carolyn Keene, an alias for
several ghost writers.  Nancy Drew and the
Hardy Boys were created by Edward Stratemeyer,
born October 4, 1862.



Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase














Guys and Dolls (1955) is a musical comedy
about gamblers and their "dolls."  It is based
on a Broadway musical based on a Damon Runyon
work.  Runyon was born October 4, 1884.  It was nominated for several Oscars.  It features the American Film
Institute Song Luck Be a Lady.





Guys and Dolls

Movies for the Day, Saturday, October 3, 2020

Today's movies mark German reunification and the birthdays of Susan Sarandon and Chubby Checkers,

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Heart of Glass (1976) is about a
glassblower whose secret to a special
glass dies with him.  It is based on a
Bavarian legend.  The day of German Unity,
a national holiday, is based on the reunification
of Germany, October 3, 1990.





Heart of Glass











Thelma & Louise (1991) is a road
movie about two women.  It combines
adventure, crime, and drama.  This inspiring and
thrilling movie features two American
Film Institute Heroes:  Thelma Dickerson and
Louise Sawyer.  It won an Oscar for Writing.
Susan Sarandon, who had top billing,
was born October 4, 1946.  Geena Davis was
born January 21, 1957.



Thelma & Louise










Twist (1992) is a documentary about
early rock and roll up to and thru
the twist.  Chubby Checker, born
October 3, 1941, popularized the twist.






Twist

Movies for the Day, Friday, October 2, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthday of Groucho Marx, World Farm Animals Day, and the birthday of Sting.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Animal Crackers (1930) is a zany
Marx Brothers movie.  Groucho Marx
was born October 2, 1890.  It features an
American Film Institute quote, "One morning
I shot an elephant in my pajamas.  How he got
in my pajamas, I don't know."




Animal Crackers

Who's Who in Animal Land (1944)
is about animals talking about
themselves.  It won an Oscar for
Short Films, One-Reel.  World
Farm Animals Day is October 2,
2020.





Who's Who in Animal Land










Bring on the Night (1985) is
a musical documentary about
Sting's first solo concert and his
rock jazz band The Police.  Sting
was born October 2, 1951.





Bring on the Night

Movies for the Day, Thursday, October 1, 2020

Today's movies mark Art and Humanities Month, Halloween, and The Eagles.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Early Abstractions (1987) is a compilation
of short animations by Harry Smith.  A lovely,
ever-moving collage of abstraction, color and
imagery.  The first version, Early Abstractions
#1-5, 7, 10 (1939-1956) is on the National
Film Registry.  October is Arts and Humanities
Month.




Early Abstractions











The Outer Limits (1995-2002)
is an anthology TV series of science
fiction, fantasy and horror.  Perfect for
this month of Halloween.  This Showtime
series builds on the classic series
which aired two seasons from 1963 to 1965
and had 49 episodes.  This revived series was
on for 7 seasons and had 154 episodes.  It won an
Emmy in 1996 for Guest Actress, to Amanda Plummer,
for A Stitch in Time.


The Outer Limits








History of the Eagles (2013) is TV
miniseries documentary about the rock
band The Eagles.  The band formed
in Los Angeles in 1971 and had their
first show in October 1971.  This miniseries
won an Emmy for Sound Mixing for Nonfiction
Programming.


History of the Eagles

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Today's movies mark The Flintstones and the birthdays of Agatha Christie and Truman Capote.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








The Flintstones (1960-1966) was a very
popular animated TV series about the misadventures
of two Stone Age families.  This comedy premiered
September 30, 1960, and was on until April 1,
1966:  six seasons, 167 episodes.





The Flintstones











Murder Ahoy (1964) is a murder
mystery on a naval cadet training
ship.  It features Miss Marple created
by Agatha Christie, born September
15, 1890.  A very good movie.






Murder Ahoy










Murder by Death (1976) features famous
literary detectives to a mansion by Truman
Capote to solve a whodunit.  A bit of a detective
spoof.  Capote was born September 30, 1924.





Murder by Death

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthday of Gene Autry, a cathedral, and high school.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Melody Ranch (1940) is about
the singing cowboy, Gene Autry,
who stars.  This film is on the National
Film Registry.  Autry was born September
29, 1907.






Melody Ranch










The Stone Carvers (1987) is about
the stone carvers completing the sculptures
adorning the Washington National
Cathedral.  Construction of the cathedral
started September 29, 1907.  This half-hour
film won an Oscar for Best Documentary,
Short Subject.  The cathedral was added to
the National Register of Historic Places May
3, 1974.



The Stone Carvers











Can't Buy Me Love (1987) is a high
school romantic comedy.  Boy "rents" girl
to pose as girlfriend.  September is
the traditional back to school month.





Can't Buy Me Love

Movies for the Day, Monday, September 28, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Al Capp and Peter Falk and Hunting and Fishing Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Li'l Abner (1959) is a musical comedy
based on Al Capp's cartoon strip about
hillbillies in Dogpatch.  Capp was born
September 28, 1909.  See also Li'l Abner
(1940).





Li'l Abner

The Price of Tomatoes (1962) is
an episode of The Dick Powell Show
(Powell shown in 1938) in which
Peter Falk stars as a truck driver who
has an adventure.  Falk was born September
16, 1927.  Falk won an Emmy as Leading
Actor.







The Price of Tomatoes












Deadliest Catch (2005-) is a TV reality
series about Alaskan crab fisherman.  Its
274 episodes (thus far) have won many
Emmy awards.  September 26 is National
Hunting and Fishing Day.




Deadliest Catch

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 27, 2020

Today's movies mark Jack the Ripper and the birthdays of Jim Thompson and Christopher Reeve.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








Jack the Ripper (1959) is about
the serial killer of women in London
about 1888.  He wrote a famous letter
dated September 27, 1888.  See also
Jack the Ripper (1988), a TV movie.





Jack the Ripper











After Dark, My Sweet (1990)
is about a troubled drifter and crime,
mystery, and romance.  This film
noir is based on the Jim Thompson novel
of the same name.  Thompson was born
September 27, 1906.





After Dark, My Sweet










Without Pity:  A Film About Abilities
(1996) is an informational special about
disabled persons living full, productive
lives.  It is narrated by Christopher Reeve,
pictured here before his paralyzing
accident.  Reeve was born September 25,
1952.





Without Pity: A Film About Abilities

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 26, 2020

Today's movies mark two sitcoms and the birthday of George Gershwin.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Ma and Pa Kettle (1949) is the first of
a series of movies about a hillbilly duo.  See
also similar Beverly Hillbillies, which sitcom
premiered September 26, 1962.  The best entry
may have been Ma and Pa Kettle at Home
(1954).




Ma and Pa Kettle









A Very Brady Sequel (1996) is
based on the very popular TV sitcom
The Brady Bunch which premiered
September 26, 1969.





A Very Brady Sequel













'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin
(1972) is a musical about the Gershwin brothers,
Ira and George, the latter born September 26,
1898.  It won Emmys for Music Direction,
Direction, and Outstanding Single Program.
See also Celebrating George Gershwin (1987)
(a two part special) and Rhapsody and Song:  A
Tribute to George Gershwin (1981).



'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin

Movies for the Day, Friday, September 25, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of William Faulkner, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Michael Douglas.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Sound and the Fury (1959) is about
a young woman seeking independence from a
strict and declining aristocratic family in the
South.  It is based on the work by William
Faulkner, born September 25, 1897.




The Sound and the Fury










Testimony (1987) is a biopic of Soviet
era (and Stalin era) composer Dmitri
Shostakovich, born September 25,
1906.






Testimony














The War of the Roses (1989) is a
black comedy about divorce and a satire
on yuppie materialism.  It stars Michael
Douglas, born September 25, 1944.





The War of the Roses

Movies for the Day, Thursday, September 24, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jim Henson.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Tender is the Night (1962) is
about a mentally unstable wife of a
psychiatrist in 1920s Europe.  It is
based on the novel by F. Scott
Fitzgerald, born September 24, 1896.




Tender is the Night








The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)
is a short about the famed puppeteer.
Henson was born September 24, 1936.






The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson












The Magical Wand Chase (2017) is
a Muppet adventure which won an
Emmy as Outstanding Children's Program
(2018).  The Sesame Street characters
have been on TV since 1969 when the educational
series began.  Jim Henson, creator of The
Muppets, was born September 24, 1936.




The Magical Wand Chase

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Today's movies mark a hunting and fishing day, the Jetsons, and the birthday of Bruce Springsteen.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The End of the Game (1976)
is about hunting and fishing and
conservation.  It won an Oscar for Best
Documentary, Short Subject.
National Hunting and Fishing Day
is September 26, 2020, the fourth
Saturday in September.





The End of the Game












Jetsons:  The Movie (1990) is based
on the animated TV series that ran
from 1962-1963.  Sort of a Flintstones set
in the future.  The TV premiere was
September 23, 1962.  It was for kids and
focused on the problems of the nuclear
family.




Jetsons: The Movie











Springsteen on Broadway (2018) is a
TV documentary special of Springsteen's
final performance in a 236 show run on
Broadway.  It won an Emmy for Directing.
Springsteen was born September 23, 2020.




Springsteen on Broadway

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Today's movies mark Business Women's Day, Dear Diary Day, and Deaf Week.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Best of Everything (1959) is a drama
about women in the world of the
publishing business in New York City.
September 22 is American Business Women's
Day.





The Best of Everything










Harriet the Spy (1996) is about
a child playing spy and her secret
notebook.  This movie is mostly
for children.  September 22 is Dear
Diary Day.





Harriet the Spy










The Mozart of Pickpockets (2006) is a short
film about a pickpocket gang employing
a deaf-mute in Paris.  This film won an Oscar
for Best Short Film, Live Action.  International
Week of the Deaf is September 21 to September 25,
2020.





The Mozart of Pickpockets

Movies for the Day, Monday, September 21, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of H.G. Wells, Preston Tucker, and Stephen King.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) is about
a mad scientist creating "humanimals."  It is based
on a story by H. G. Wells, born September 21, 1866.
See also The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) (not so good)
and Island of Lost Souls (1933) (good).




The Island of Dr. Moreau













Tucker:  The Man and His Dreams (1998)
is a very good movie about Preston
Tucker, born September 21, 1903,
and his 1940s car of the future and his
ill-fated challenge to the auto industry.





Tucker: The Man and His Dreams












Storm of the Century (1999) is a miniseries
set in a small town during a very dangerous
blizzard.  There are three episodes to this
horror movie.  It won an Emmy for Sound
Editing.  It is based on a novel by Stephen King,
born September 21, 1947.





Storm of the Century

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 20, 2020

Today's movies mark back to school and a TV series.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1971)
is a boys school murder mystery.
September is the traditional back to school
month.



Unman, Wittering and Zigo










Zebrahead (1992) is about high
school race relations and romance.
September is the traditional back
to school month.






Zebrahead












This Is Us (2016-) is a comedy drama series
about triplets with an ensemble cast.  This
very popular show will premiere its fifth
season November 10, 2020.  It originally
premiered September 20, 2016.





This Is Us

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 19, 2020

Today's movies mark the beginning of World War II and Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Siege (1940) is a 10 minute film
about the German blitzkrieg of Poland and
the siege of Warsaw.  Germany invaded
Poland September 1, 1939, to begin World
War II.  This film is on the National Film
Registry.




Siege










The Golden Hawk (1952) is about
a French privateer during the conflict
among Spain, France and England in the
Caribbean Sea during the 17th century.
It is based on a Frank Yerby novel and stars
Sterling Hayden, born March 26, 1916.
September 19 is International Talk Like a
Pirate Day.



The Golden Hawk













Shipwrecked (1990) is a Disney
movie about pirates, island treasure,
and a boy in 1850s England.  September
19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.





Shipwrecked